Central Florida's Black Music Outlets Don't Skimp On Quality

October 6, 1985|By Captain Kilmer Joyce

While there is no shortage of quality black performers in Central Florida, the pickings get slimmer when it comes to seeking out quality nightclubs featuring black entertainment and/or black music. It would be nice to have more of a selection, some say, but I haven't heard any complaints about what is available.

Of the few clubs under consideration here, three have had changes in ownership during the past two years and still are reacquainting themselves with their clientele.

One such place is Valentyne's, at 54 N. Orange Ave., Orlando. This restaurant/bar was salvaged in October 1984 from almost two years of no- business blues by its present manager, Herb Brooks, who, a year ago, leased the saloon from Oscar Juarez, current owner of the Beacham Theater building (that houses Celebrity Dinner Theatre). Brooks has reestablished Valentyne's as a regular stopover for nattily dressed downtowners of all ethnic persuasions.

Open from 7 a.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Valentyne's offerings range from quick cocktails (starting at $1.50 for draughts, $2.60 for well drinks) to full breakfasts, lunches and dinners and live entertainment most evenings.

Currently included on Valentyne's entertainment roster are popular-music pianist Flip Allen (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays, 7 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays) and the Joe Ambrosia Quartet, a jazz group, from 10:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. This week, however, is special: Brooks gave the quartet time off to make room for performances by jazz pianist Monty Alexander, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $10.

A few doors down from Valentyne's (at 70 N. Orange Ave.) is the Orange Quarter, a restaurant/bar that specializes in the cuisines of Thailand, India and the Caribbean, and in live entertainment by reggae and rhythm 'n' blues bands. Jay Mehta, who became co-owner of the Quarter about 11 months ago, said that reggae/calypso music will become a regular feature there on Thursdays (this week: Tropical Steel). Rhythm 'n' blues and rock will be featured on Fridays and Saturdays (this week: Priddi Boi).

Although reggae nights typically have been a big draw for college students and West Indians, Mehta said that the R&B/rock nights -- which also include disco music -- have been extremely popular with blacks and whites.

Depending on the performance fee of the band du jour, cover charges during entertainment hours at the Quarter range from $2 to $4, though drink prices do not increase as the music cranks up. Prices start at $1.50 for draught beers and $2.25 for well drinks.

From downtown Orlando north to Eatonville: Here, there are two clubs, both of which are well-attended by blacks and owned by the E.L. Bing family.

''One is white collar, one is blue collar,'' said Harry Bing by way of describing the two establishments under his supervision -- Mr. B's (426 Kennedy Blvd., Eatonville) and the Rainbow (201 Kennedy Blvd.).

Mr. B's is the refurbished Club Eaton, which in the 1950s and '60s played host to entertainers such as Muddy Waters, Fats Domino and B.B. King. Club Eaton was purchased in 1983 by the Bings and reopened in January '85 as Mr. B's, a disco and, Bing said, soon-to-be forum for live entertainment.

''What we're trying to do is give ourselves some time, so we can make sure we have all of our dates booked,'' Bing said. ''Once we start, we'll really start. No skipping.''

In keeping with the polish and panache of the old Club Eaton, Mr. B's enforces a strict dress code (no jeans, gentlemen in jackets and ties), charges mid-range prices for drinks (starting at $1.25 for draught and $2.25 for well drinks) and encourages the use of the 600-seat club for wedding receptions, fund-raisers and business meetings.

The Rainbow, a package store that doubles as a bar and disco, has been owned by the Bing family for the past 33 years. The dress code at this Eatonville fixture is relaxed and the drinks inexpensive. With prices for beers and well drinks starting at $1, Bing's claim that the Rainbow is one of the cheapest places to drink in Central Florida can't be far from the truth. The drive-in window at the Rainbow is in service from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily, with disco entertainment provided from 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Another of the disco/package store variety is Club 436, at 80 Lake Howell Road, Altamonte Springs. The 436 operates from 11 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays and includes disco music in its entertainment repertoire from 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Drinks start at $1.25.

Mama said. The '50s wouldn't be as memorable as they are were it not for the Shirelles' renditions of ''Dedicated to the One I Love,'' ''Soldier Boy,'' ''Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?'' and ''Mama Said,'' among others. Well, the meter on Shirelles nostalgia is running at the Gypsy Cab Co. (2544 S. Park Drive, Sanford) which will feature the trio at 5 and 9 p.m. today. Admission is $10 for the 5 p.m. show, $15 for the 9 p.m. show. Call (305) 629-9400 or (305) 321-8806 for details.